Gaming News Round-Up: March 3rd, 2005

Today's round-up includes a notable departure from an Australian developer, as well as a rockin' new game announcement from Japanese developer/publisher Square Enix. - John Passfield, founder and design director of Australia-based Krome Studios, has left the company. No reason was cited save for Passfield's desire to "pursue other opportunities" in the game industry; the studio founder wants to do other things with his career than Krome would allow him to. Passfield has been a member of the Australian game development community for over 20 years, and has co-founded other design studios such as Interactive Binary Illusions. "Making games is definitely part of the next phase of my career and there are a number of exciting opportunities on the horizon," he said. - Square Enix has announced a Heavy Metal Thunder game at, appropriately, an event featuring Japanese heavy metal group Sex Machine Guns, who will perform the theme song. No gameplay footage or details of a release date or target platform was mentioned, though the planes and robots seen in the trailer might give an indication as to the subject matter. Square Enix also took the opportunity to announce a heavy metal-themed variety show, spotlighting both bands and fans of the music.